Les Alpilles Provence-Beyond (Beyond the French Riviera) ® Bouches-du-Rhône (13) Length: about 30 km Altitude: 300 to 400 m Nearby: [ Arles 20 km | Cavaillon 16 | Glanum | Luberon | St. Rémy-de-Provence | les Baux-de-Provence ] This chain of limestone hills running east-west is where bauxite was first discovered (named after the village of Baux-de-Provence). The Alpilles are an extension of the Luberon mountains, which stretch out to the east. Although the ridge along the top seems white and barren, the Alpilles have been rich in almonds, apricot, olives and grain since the middle ages. The steep slopes were terraced, and the trees and grains were planted because of their adaptability to the arid conditions. Windmills were constructed along the higher part of the hills, to catch the Mistral to power the grinding of grain to flour. A few of the old windmills can still be seen, such as an 18th-century example in St. Saturnin-lès-Apt (map D2) and this one at Montfuron, near Manosque (map D2). For flora, the hills are covered with Kermes oak and Scots pine, interspersed with sheep pastures. Hiking Maps: IGN "bleue" (1:25,000) 3042 ouest; 3043 ouest IGN "verte" (1:100,000) #66 "Avignon, Montpellier" The GR6 (Grande Randonnée) crosses the full length of the Alpilles, along the top of the ridge. To the west, the GR6 curves up to Tarascon and, eventually on to Pont-du-Gard. To the east, the GR6 drops down the southern slopes of the Alpilles to Aureille and Eyguières and points east, crossing to the north of Salon-de-Provence.